Apr 11, 2019 | Latest News
The combination of ice, snow and wind due to the April blizzard is affecting the transmission system of East River Electric Power Cooperative. East River Electric is the wholesale power provider to 24 distribution electric cooperatives and one municipal electric system in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota.
As of 8 a.m. on April 11, East River Electric has 27 substations without power. Most of the affected substations are located in Miner, Lake, Moody and Minnehaha counties. Clay, Lincoln, Union and Yankton counties in southeastern South Dakota are also experiencing outages due to the storm. The cooperative’s crews have mobilized to assess damages and start repairs where possible. Power to some of the affected substations has been rerouted to other sources. There are downed powerlines on parts of the transmission system but because of poor visibility and travel conditions crews have not been able to reach all areas to assess the full extent of the damage and make needed repairs. Consumers could see outages throughout the day today and possibly into Friday.
To view a map of outages affecting rural electric cooperatives in South Dakota, please visit the South Dakota Rural Electric Association’s online outage map: https://outages.sdrea.coop/outages/maps
Apr 1, 2019 | Community, Latest News
East River Electric’s 55th annual Mountain Oyster Feed was a success, raising $25,000 for LifeScape, an organization which promotes independence for over 2,500 children and adults with disabilities throughout South Dakota. The event was held at Nicky’s Restaurant in Madison on March 20 and was attended by 345 people.
East River’s Annual Mountain Oyster Feed has helped provide for the very best in medical care, therapy, education and other services for the children at LifeScape. Several local children and people from around the region are served by LifeScape.
“The charity event was very successful and a direct tribute to our employees fulfilling our Touchstone Energy Cooperatives principle of Commitment to Community,” said East River General Manager Tom Boyko. “I want to thank our employee committee who really stepped up and organized the event. Thanks also to everyone who helped prepare, serve, clean-up and attended the event.”
The East River Employees Committee donated $1,000, a total matched by East River Electric at $1,000. CoBank also contributed $2,000 to the event this year. In the 55 years since the East River fundraiser began, $275,000 has been raised to help LifeScape provide services to children and adults in rural South Dakota.
Mar 5, 2019 | Community, Latest News
East River welcomes the public to attend the 55th annual Mountain Oyster Feed at Nicky’s in Madison on Wednesday, March 20 with serving beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will once again benefit LifeScape, formerly Children’s Care Hospital and School and SD Achieve, whose mission it is to empower children and adults with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. With more than $224,000 contributed to LifeScape over the years, East River’s Annual Mountain Oyster Feed has helped provide for the very best in medical care, therapy, education and other services for the children at LifeScape.
“LifeScape is so honored to benefit from this tremendous event each year. It is so fun and so unique, and it brings the community together in fellowship and food, but more importantly, it brings the community together in support of children with disabilities. The money raised over the years has made a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of Madison-area children and their families supported by LifeScape,” said Jessica Wells, LifeScape Foundation president. “This is a tradition we love and look forward to each year. We are so grateful for this event and for the people of this community that show their compassion and care by coming out in support of this each year.”
The event’s menu will include mountain oysters, pork sandwiches, baked beans, coleslaw and dessert. There will be a raffle, door prizes, silent auction and 50-50 tickets.
“We appreciate the generosity of local businesses and the community in providing silent auction and raffle items for this year’s event,” said Elliot Shoup-Owens, East River Employees’ Committee chairperson. “East River Electric is committed to the communities we serve and this event is a great way for us to stay involved.”
PHOTO CUTLINE – East River Electric employees serve guests some of the signature fare at the 2018 Mountain Oyster Feed.
Dec 31, 2018 | Community, Latest News
The Madison Lion’s Club received a $5,000 donation from East River Electric Cooperative in December. East River participated in CoBank’s Sharing Success Program which is a matching grant program. East River donated $2,500 and CoBank matched that amount.
The Lion’s Club is on a mission to serve by volunteering their time to improve communities. Larry DeKramer, Madison Lion’s Club President and Transmission Manager at East River, expressed appreciation for the generous donation. “Thank you for selecting the Madison Lion’s Club for this donation. We are excited to utilize the funds for our upcoming projects,” said Larry. Locally, the Lion’s Club is involved in free eye screenings for area youth and sets up American flags in the community on Flag Day.
Dec 13, 2018 | Community, Latest News
East River utilized a matching grant program provided by CoBank to donate $5,000 to Special Olympics of South Dakota in December. East River donated $2,500 and CoBank matched that amount.
East River Electric General Manager Tom Boyko said, “The opportunity CoBank provides by matching our donation means an extra dollar on the dollar, which is substantial. East River is proud to help support the children and adults that benefit from Special Olympics of South Dakota.”
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Sandy McLeod Breuer, a volunteer with Special Olympics, expressed appreciation to East River and Co-Bank for the generous donation. “A group of coaches took 17 athletes to Aberdeen to participate in a Bowling Tournament. The athletes really enjoy the bowling events,” said Sandy.
“East River Electric is committed to the communities we serve and donating to non-profit organizations such as Special Olympics is a way for us to stay involved,” said Megan Rummel, East River Employees’ Committee Chairperson.
Dec 11, 2018 | Construction Updates, Latest News
On Thursday, December 6 there was a ribbon cutting for the newly built and energized substation serving the city of Hartford and the surrounding area. The new substation is owned by East River Electric Power Cooperative, which is Sioux Valley Energy’s wholesale power provider. Sioux Valley Energy takes power from the substation to serve the city of Hartford and the surrounding area. The new facility replaced the original substation which was built in 1952. It’s designed to meet the area’s projected growth while also bringing increased reliability. The City of Hartford has grown an average of 3.4 percent per year since the year 2000 and forecasts show continued expansion.
“Hartford is a vibrant community that is expanding its housing and business opportunities. Sioux Valley Energy is proud to be able to help the community grow into the future by providing reliable and safe power. The construction of this substation is a strong signal of Hartford’s continued economic and community development,” said Tim McCarthy, Sioux Valley Energy CEO/General Manger.
Construction on the new substation began in March 2017 and the facility was energized in mid-November of this year. Demolition of the old substation is planned for next summer.
Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member owned-utility, providing reliable electric service at cost-based rates to over 25,000 homes, farms, businesses and industries in a seven-county area of east-central South Dakota and southwest Minnesota.
